I remember being able to go into a pharmacy and picking up cold medicine off the shelf. I guess there are still some kinds of that medicine you can do that but today I needed Mucinex-D. My head is full of mucus today and that's the only thing that works for me when I'm like this. I had to give the pharmacy tech my ID and sign a statement saying I wasn't going to use it to make meth. When I got it home there was a sticker on the box from the pharmacy with a Lot # and serial number for the store. Turns out Mucinex-D is a controlled substance. All that for a little relief from a nasty head cold.
I was also told today that, in Sweden, they don't differentiate what type of cold they have. For instance, I have what we call a head cold - all of the stuffiness is up in my head, nose, and sinuses as opposed to a chest cold where the congestion is in the lungs. Apparently, in Sweden, a cold is a cold. They also don't often take anything for a cold there. To them, it's a nasty thing that will go away in about 7 days so they drink lots of fluids and get lots of rest and that's about it. Makes sense when you think of it but, for me, I'll take the relief of being able to breathe with the Mucinex. Sure the cold will still last about 7 days but at least I can sleep!
When I was in Sweden the first time, I realized there was a heck of lot more walking than I was used to. Oh, I could keep up but the next morning my legs and feet were barking! I needed some ibuprofen - STAT! Here in the US we can get that at any grocery store or even gas station. Not so there. Off to the apotek (pharmacy) and I got something called Ipren. It worked and I was on my way. At first it was funny having to go to a specific store for a specific item but then again, that's how it used to be here. If you wanted flowers, see the florist. Don't' get them at Quik Trip! Another thing you can't get just anywhere in Sweden is alcohol. That is sold exclusively at government run stores called systembologet. It's Sweden's way of attempting to keep alcoholism under control. Not that it works mind you. THere is a systembologet is almost every major neighborhood. You go in and look at what you might want, which is all behind glass. Then you take a number. When its called you step up to the counter where a very knowledgeable person will either get what you ask for or, if you're not quite sure, make helpful suggestions. If you're planning a party, make sure you get enough alcohol because these places are not open all the time so if you run out, party over. It's actually a good system. You can get some beer at smaller grocers. It's generally a low alcohol content beer that you can get and you can get it a few cans at a time.
Okay, so I apologize for this rambling blog entry. Blame it on my cold. I can't seem to put too many thoughts that are related into one place tonight so, instead, my mind has meandered through somewhat related but not entirely linear memories. Off to blow my nose!
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